As a mum of two, I know you mums and soon to be mothers will understand me, this means I am, usually, a slick machine! Purring, sometimes spluttering, but mainly purring through a well practiced daily routine.
From the moment I open my eyes or they’re separated open for me by someone’s little fingers, till the moment the kids have closed theirs, my engine is running. Whatever the weather, whatever the terrain, it’s changing gear, breaking, accelerating, cruising, revving, getting everyone from bed through life and back to bed again. I don’t stop till I sleep and even that’s interrupted!
So what do we do and where can we go when we need to switch off?
We go to resorts that’s what we do because we can do something and nothing at the same time and on resort that’s not just acceptable but winning at life! Do we go without our offspring and have a break away from our little reasons to live? Maybe. Or do we want to bring our little heart fillers with us? Probably. On resort holidays we don’t have to organise a day bag of necessities or a migration of minors to the car, we don’t have to strategically execute getting in and out of those at each errand, each stop, arrange the drop offs and pick ups, get to work, sport practices, dance classes… no! On resort holiday we can do nothing, or something, but mainly nothing. Surrounded by sun, sand, water views and frozen margaritas we can chill, re-charge, pamper ourselves and play in a tropical resort getaway.
Family holiday destination
Kidspot sent me to “investigate” a family holiday resort in Fiji, it’s a tough job but someone had to bring you the findings! Introducing the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay the latest resort to open in the friendly islands of Fiji and the only one on the mainland with over water bures. Fly our wonderful national carrier Air NZ to Nadi, take your booked 45 min private transfer to Momi Bay and arrive at your very much deserved holiday destination! I arrived to a traditional Fijian welcome and zoomed by buggy to my lagoon bure. Bures spread around the lagoon and buggies get you from A to B or you can wander around yourself making the most of the warm air and no clocks… it’s Fiji time, bula!
Top notch accommodation
There’s a variation of lagoon and ocean front bures, some with connecting rooms available and some have an option for a roll away bed at an extra charge per night, or a crib. The ocean front rooms give you that sense of solitude that an endless sea view gives and the lagoon front rooms offer a pretty picture of the lagoon and resort at any time but the twinkle of lights at night is always a sweet sight. Opening the sliding doors of these lagoon bures onto your private deck it’s a hop, skip and jump onto the sand and into the lagoon. This is where you can sun, swim, sip and snooze, so close to your room there’s never a hike to return for the forgotten lotion, you know how it goes. Just slap on some sunscreen and slip on out to your lazy day.
Inside it’s top notch. Spacious open plan with a glorious king size bed, crisp white linens, a free standing bath and rain shower to let you know you’re special. Decked out with quality modern fittings, furnishings, free wi-fi, the mod cons we’ve come to expect from a 5 star hotel and as well as room service there’s a mini bar fridge and tea making facilities. So once you’ve had the morning cuppa and you’re in your sundress ready to swan out the door, press the button that says “please clean room”. Press a button and your house is clean, bed made, kitchen clean, bathroom done, fridge restocked. I know right?! Press 0 to call your ride or walk to the breakfast buffet you didn’t have to make, then simply walk away to do what you wish with the rest of your day. I know right?!
As well as the Ocean and Lagoon Front Bures there’s the jewel in the Fiji Marriott Momi Bay crown – the Over Water Bures. The only ones of their kind on the mainland dock close to the pools and wind out over the lagoon. Guests of these rooms must be 18+ so we foresee these enticing couples who want to wake up to water lapping and fish flapping, to leave their jandles on the stairs for a lagoon dip and to watch the sunrise from their deck. I know right?! The Deluxe Lagoon Front/View rooms are touted as the best for families with room connection availability, double/double bed option, and handiness to all of the resort facilities.
Find out about what types of accommodation is available and deals including breakfast for two adults and kids for free.
Dining choices … and cocktails!
In amongst the bure neighbourhood overlooking a spectacular view of the sea meeting the horizon you’ll find the Fish Bar. The a la carte menu serves food from the sea and some from the land for lunch and dinner with half size portions for the kids at half price. Glistening provocatively beside it is the Sunset Infinity pool, one of three resort pools but this one is only for adults so we can casually breaststroke around absorbing the view, order cocktails to our loungers and soak in the whirlpool thinking about how much we needed this! In amongst the main resort facilities is The Lagoon Lounge coffee house serving food and cocktails, The Fiji Baking Company a small deli style cafe, The Lagoon House and Bar serving a Mediterranean menu and Tropical Thunders – one of many yummy cocktails that can be shaken up at the swim up bar in the main pool! The Goji Kitchen and Bar serves Asian fusion, classic and local fare a la carte or buffet from their open style kitchen… and of course cocktails. I really should have had more cocktails.
Soak up the sun by the pool
The other two glistening pools are the kids pool with the essential water play cannons keeping them busy splashing and smiling like only a pool can, and the main pool with the essential swim up bar keeping us busy splashing and smiling like only a pool with a swim up bar can! Loungers line them and the lagoon beach where you can sun, sip, swim… and snooze when the kids are somewhere safe!
Water sports activities and tours… here’s where you get to have your nothing and do something too! To name a few there’s fishing charters, jet skiing, paddle boarding and kayaks. A boat trip to Cloudbreak the infamous surf spot out at sea and out of bounds for children under 7! Snorkelling off the boat, diving, and a day trip to Tokoriki Island where you’ll find the Sheraton Resort and Spa Tokoriki another resort off the mainland. The Sheraton seems more intimate but openly welcomes families to come stay and play on their gorgeous island resort.
Spa treatments
What’s more for the pampering adult? A much needed spa treatment, that’s what! From couples massage and plunge pools to body wraps and manicures you can give yourself the pat on the back you deserve. You’re the mum, the dad, the cook, the cleaner, the taxi driver, the business woman, the working man, the kids manager in charge of the plan. Plan this for yourselves to say thanks, for everything.
Things to do
What’s more for our treasures? The Turtles kids club, free of charge for hotel guests. Yep! A club of activity for the 4-12yr old kidlings who are, as we know, prone to boredom or illness as soon as they see you lounging around or doing anything for yourself. The club room has all the crafty bits n bobs, gaming too, an outdoors playground and a morning and afternoon activity schedule for the younger and older turtles. Pool games, crab hunts, sandcastles and soccer… there’s plenty to entertain them should they or you wish. For an additional charge there’s an evening programme while you’re “date night” dining. Babysitting’s also available so keep that in mind for your under 4’s who are too young for the Turtles club without a chaperone and when bed is the best place for tired tempers!
You can keep on top of your game at the gym or inject a bit of pace with water activities or tennis but there’s also local adventures you and your family can partake in, one of which is zip lining through the canopy of the Fijian bush. Wee ones would need to stay behind but bigger kids could tandem or if they have a good arm to brake and aren’t afraid of hikes and heights, they can join in on this physically exhausting but exhilarating activity for the family!
Fiji weddings
If you’re thinking about tie-ing the knot in a beautiful, warm and friendly land there’s options for you to do so. Aside from the events centre there’s also three outdoor event spaces. North Point with panoramic ocean and lagoon views and swaying palms, the Fish Bar has a garden for a more intimate gathering to witness not only your union but the sun setting on that romantic ocean horizon, and Vonu Beach can be reserved to seat 500 should you clearly be struggling with the guest list!
Take your time
We could all do with a family resort holiday to recover from the constant hum of life as we know it, especially in Fiji an Island nation relying on the benefits of the industry and with such warm friendly people working within it. It’s not shops or shows, late bars and night life, it’s chilling, chatting, exploring and playing. It’s reading that book our eyes are usually never open long enough in bed to read. It’s spending time actually listening and responding to the random thoughts the kids haven’t yet learned to internalise, and noticing those special moments we sometimes miss when we’re too busy or tired to be mindful. It’s taking our time over a lovely meal cooked by someone else and not having to go far to do it, or consider the clean up afterwards. In fact it’s taking our lovely time over everything and not having to consider much at all!
Written by Ronnie Swainston for Kidspot
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